FNQROC Update - March 2014

Executive Officer, Darlene Irvine...

February – the month of making submissions and unravelling electricity!  This month we made six submissions:

1. Great Barrier Reef Strategic Assessment – Coastal Zone Component (31 January)

2. Strategic Offset Investment Corridors (with Terrain NRM for the NRM Collective to the State)

3. Federal Government Energy White Paper – Issues Paper (7 February)

4. Northern Australia White paper – Submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee (17 February)

5. Australian Energy Regulator on Distribution Determination (Framework and Assessment) 2015 – 2020 (19 February)

6. Queensland Competition Authority – Retail Electricity Price Regulation in Regional Qld (28 February)

We then had to consider project submissions for our Far North Queensland Regional Roads & Transport Group's (FNQRRTG) 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 works program to which $5.5 million in funding is allocated.

All of these are just the start – the majority will require further consultation and input again.  It was good to read the submissions from the region's organisations to the Northern Australia White Paper and see we were complimentary.  This will show the Federal Government we are working together for the region's common high level strategic goals. 

FNQROC Board meeting

The FNQROC Board met on 10 February at the Innisfail Disaster Management Centre (pictured left). The council chambers simply could not fit us all in. We tackled a few issues at this meeting; the biggest being the AEC Group Ltd report into alternative mechanisms for managing our urban water (and waste) supply. The Board has noted this report and will focus its attention on strategic asset management, regional demand and supply, legislative requirements and full cost pricing.

We also discussed FNQROC's priorities for the Northern Australia White Paper, as well as our operational plan and budget for 2014/2015.

FNQ Regional Road and Transport Group meeting

We had intended to endorse the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 regional works program at this meeting, however the threat of a cyclone prevented a recommendation from the technical committee.  We did however get an opportunity to hear from Mr Graeme Newton, the CEO of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, who gave us an update on progression, betterment funding and day labour.  The Federal inspectorate is seriously reconsidering its position regarding council business units, which will be a concern for both Cairns Regional Council and Brisbane City Council.

Last month I spent some time in Cooktown, both in the council office and supporting Cook Shire's first Business Conference and the Regional LG Economic Development meeting. Kudos to Katrina Houghton and her team for pulling this conference together.  There was certainly diversity in presenters and topics – something for everyone.  Next month I hope to get to Douglas Shire.

The Coordinators have complained that I keep stealing their key points so I'll say no more and leave it to them...

Have a great March.